mike. >> it's almost a legend. >> reporter: who is mr. mike? >> that's me. >> reporter: for seven year, mike has kept the school in order as custodian. he doesn't mind the work. and he loves the kids. >> i've seen one group go from kindergarten go all the way through. >> mr. mike is one of the hardest custodians i've ever seen work. >> reporter: he's a friendly force, whether a helping hand at lunch or the smile that greets kids every day. >> i try to know as many of them as i can. >> reporter: but the last three years have been tough on mr. mike. >> i try not to think about it. from getting the initial diagnosis of cancer. >> reporter: tonsil cancer didn't take his life, but it did take his teeth. mike thought he might never get teeth at all facing a more than $4,000 bill for a complete mouth makeover. mr. mike's smile started fadesing. a prayer group of school moms wouldn't have it. >> we wanted to bring that smile back. and for him to be able to eat again. >> reporter: so what started as a list of friends -- >> 160 families give $25, we can